Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for a more integrated and financially capable European Union at the EU summit, advocating for trade diversification and dialogue with other regions, contrasting with a tougher stance from some member states towards China.
Pedro Sánchez's push for a more integrated and financially robust EU, coupled with his call for open dialogue on trade and migration, highlights key debates shaping the bloc's future direction and its role on the global stage.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez used the European Council summit in Brussels to advocate for a more ambitious and integrated European Union, capable of acting as a global player with greater financial capacity and strategic autonomy.
Speaking from Brussels, Sánchez emphasized the need for "a Europe open to the world," highlighting the importance of deeper integration, trade diversification, and dialogue with other regions, including China. He argued that the EU requires more significant financial firepower to become a geoeconomic power and stressed the benefits of a more integrated single market, citing recent trade agreements with Mercosur, Mexico, and India.
Sánchez's stance on engaging with China contrasts with that of some EU member states, notably France, which favor a more assertive approach due to concerns over overproduction impacting the European economy. The Spanish leader countered that Europe should "take a step forward in its integration" rather than retreat from its values.
On migration policy, Sánchez voiced his opposition to the EU's new Return Regulation, which allows for the establishment of return centers in third countries. He described such measures as a "smokescreen" and argued they send the wrong message, suggesting the issue is solely the problem of origin and transit countries.
Additionally, Sánchez expressed his "solidarity" with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following a public exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed Meloni had "begged" him for a photo. Sánchez described Trump's remarks as an "attack" and an insult to Italy.